CORY MAC ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND OF CSK NATIONALS

Cory McClenathan’s first 2007 round win will be a memorable one, not only for the points and a solid quarter-mile run, but for the tribulations faced by the driver before the Carrier Boyz/Scott Griffin Racing FRAM/Torco Top Fuel dragster even left the Firebird Raceway starting line Sunday.

McClenathan, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., defeated a traction-troubled Larry Dixon with a run of 4.528 seconds at 322.65 mph to a losing 9.998 at 92.65 mph. In the quarterfinals, however, the engine dropped cylinders and his 5.223 at 164.33 was no match for Tony Schumacher’s 4.461 at 324.90.

“Obviously we were happy to get the first round win and we would’ve liked to have gone a few more rounds,” said McClenathan. “Just getting by Dixon was a challenge by itself. It began when one of my contact lenses roll up on my eye. Tony (Shortall, assistant crew chief) had to take both out.

“And then when I was backing up from the burnout, the car’s rear tire knocked a chunk of concrete out of the track in front of me. The rear tire apparently hit it and it came out. I had to drive around it.”

Against Schumacher, a cylinder dropped at the hit of the throttle and “and the engine dropped a couple more,” recalled McClenathan, who wound up 12th in POWERade Series points with 64. “The engine was eating itself up and I didn’t want it break and oil the track so I pulled the ‘chutes before the finish line.

“Despite all of the bad luck, we really believe Tony and Wes (Cerny, crew chief) are close to getting the car to run competitively. They will be doing what’s necessary to get it done by the Gatornationals (March 16-18 at Gainesville, Fla.).

Carrier Boyz/Scott Griffin Racing would like to thank the companies that help us stay competitive: FRAM, Torco Racing Fuels, JEGS, GMC, Mac Tools, Lucas Oil, Nordic Boats, Seelye-Wright Automotive Group and Lucas Cycles.

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